In an effort to show support for Yitzhak Rabin’s legacy of peace, Congress was expected to pass legislation this week that is widely seen as a step toward furthering the peace process.
The controversial legislation, the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act, which enables U.S. funds to flow to the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization to operate its office here, expired last week – caught in the web of Washington politicking.
The legislation, first passed in 1993 after the historic handshake between Rabin and PLO leader Yasser Arafat, has been renewed through four short-term extensions.
Last week’s expiration of the measure, known as MEPFA, forced the PLO to temporarily close its office. It also suspended all new U.S. economic aid projects to the Palestinians.
Although the legislation lapsed as a result of squabbling over domestic political concerns, the move was widely seen in the Middle East as a repudiation by Congress of the peace process.
“If you want to help Israel now, it’s important to help the Palestinians, they need economic assistance,” Dedi Zucker, a Knesset member of the left-wing Meretz, which is part of the governing coalition, reportedly told members of Congress.
He spoke to the lawmakers – who had flown in for Rabin’s funeral – at an informal meeting between the American delegation and Israeli politicians.
And that is what lawmakers appeared poised to do.
Rep. Michael Forbes (R-N.Y.), who had emerged in recent weeks as one of the loudest opponents of aid to the Palestinians, wrote in a letter to Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) just hours after Rabin’s assassination:
“In memory of Israeli Prime Minister Rabin and his devotion to a lasting peace in the Middle East, I shall remove my objections to a temporary extension of the Middle East Peace Facilitation Act.”
Although Forbes continues to criticize the PLO’s lack of compliance with some of its accords with Israel, the congressman wrote, “The tragic events of this weekend dictate that my reservation to be taken up at a more appropriate time.”
The Senate voted to extended the measure for 30 days last week. The House was expected to follow suit as early as Tuesday with an extension through the year, which the Senate is expected to match.
Meanwhile, a long-term resolution of MEPFA is still unresolved, because the foreign aid bill is caught up in other political infighting. An 18-month extension of MEPFA is contained in the foreign aid bill.
Meanwhile, Congress continued to honor Rabin in the wake of his assassination.
While nearly 40 members of Congress attended his funeral in Jerusalem, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution honoring the slain Israeli leader.
Congress “expresses its admiration for the historic contributions made by Yitzhak Rabin over his long and distinguished career of public service,” the resolution said.
The House was expected to pass a similar resolution Tuesday evening.
A copy of the resolution will be sent to the Rabin family.
In the House, the opening prayer Monday recalled the Israeli leader.
“Our hearts and souls join with so many others as we mourn the tragic death of Yitzhak Rabin and we express this prayer of condolence to all who sorrow,” said the Rev. James David Ford.
The prayer was followed by a series of speeches by members of Congress recalling the prime minister.
“Today Israelis mourn the loss of Yitzhak Rabin and the entire would grieves with them,” said Rep. Ken Bentsen (D-Texas).
“We should all honor the memory of Yitzhak Rabin by giving life to his enduring words: `Enough of blood and tears. Enough,'” he said, citing Rabin’s words when he signed the Declaration of Principles with the Palestinians in September 1993.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
